It's essential to keep in mind that your reaction to the rejection is in your hands, suggests licensed clinical social worker Claire Arene in her 4Therapy article, "The Most Important Step to Overcoming Rejection." Rather than blaming yourself or your friend for the lack of romance, wish her well and continue to focus on other interests, such as hobbies or even other potential dates in your social network. He holds a fine arts degree in creative writing, but has a persistent interest in social psychology.

He loves train travel, writing fiction, and leaping out of planes.

But if you're currently among the majority of people who feel a failed romance necessarily means a failed friendship as well, you might not know how easy it can be to keep things cool.

Their wedding was nothing short of a joyful and magical affair, as weddings typically are, but something remarkable stood out at this wedding.

There is a myth—an urban legend really—among many dating individuals today that goes like this: If I date him (or her) and it doesn’t work out, it will be awkward in our social scene. It’s kept women from showing interest or saying yes to certain men asking them on a date.

And dare I say, its perhaps delayed or even prevented some “happily ever afters.” My friends’ wedding, and the attendance of their exes, proves this myth to be just that.

However, to accomplish this goal, you will need to change the way your love interest perceives you by altering the way you interact.

Some of the strategies you use can also open the door to other dating opportunities if this one doesn’t work out.